Diastereoisomerism, contact points, and chiral selectivity: a four-site saga

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2003 Jun 1;414(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9861(03)00169-3.

Abstract

In biology, chiral recognition usually implies the ability of a protein, such as an enzyme or a drug receptor, to distinguish between the two enantiomeric forms of a chiral substrate or drug. Both diastereoisomerism and specific contacts between enzyme/receptor and substrate/drug are necessary. The minimum requirement is for four contact points including four nonplanar atoms (or groups of atoms) in both probe and target. The molecular models described by Easson and Stedman and by Ogston require three binding sites in a plane. A modified model with three binding sites in three dimensions is described. Under certain circumstances this model allows binding of both enantiomeric forms of a substrate or a drug. Enantiomer superposition of two enantiomers at an active site occurs in some specific cases (e.g., phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, isocitrate dehydrogenase) and is likely in others. The nature of enantiomer binding to racemase enzymes is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Dehydrogenase / chemistry
  • Alcohol Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Enzymes / metabolism
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Racemases and Epimerases / chemistry
  • Racemases and Epimerases / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Proteins
  • Alcohol Dehydrogenase
  • Racemases and Epimerases